California

Firefighters Rush to Put Out Big-Rig Fire on I-580 in Livermore

Firefighters were working to limit the risk of a wildfire starting Sunday evening in unincorporated Alameda County as they finished extinguishing a big-rig fire, an Alameda County fire official said.

The fire was first reported at 4:32 p.m. on eastbound Interstate 580 and West Grant Line Road, where a wildfire burned at least 211 acres Saturday on Altamont Pass.

The wildfire risk is high because it's hot, winds are strong and the big-rig was hauling electronics and all-terrain vehicles, making it difficult to be sure the fire does not start again, Alameda County Fire Department Battalion Chief Stephanie Radecke said.

"There's a significant amount of overhaul," Radecke said.

Firefighters have to be sure the fuel and electronics do not ignite again and spread to the surrounding grasses, she said.

The truck was on its way from the Sonoma Raceway to the Daytona International Speedway.

Traffic was impacted on eastbound I-580 from Livermore to Tracy, Radecke said. California Highway Patrol officials issued a traffic alert at 4:48 p.m. because two lanes were blocked.

CHP officials said they did not have an estimate of when the lanes would reopen.

Contact Us